The worst kept secret in the NFL became official today when the Kansas City Chiefs announced the release of long time linebacker Tamba Hali.
Hali joined the Chiefs as a first round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Hali was taken out of Penn State and spent his first few months with the team just waiting for people to pronounce his name correctly. For those who still mess it up, the “h” is silent, his named is pronounced Ali, like Muhammad Ali.
His first three seasons in the league he played defensive end averaging 57 tackles and six sacks a season. In 2009 the Chiefs changed defenses from 4-3 to a 3-4 and Hali was moved to outside linebacker. At 6’3 and 275 pounds he had been an undersized defensive end who fit perfectly into the 3-4 outside linebacker mold.
He had a solid first season at OLB when he recorded 8.5 sacks. Romeo Crennel was named Defensive Coordinator heading into the 2010 season lit the rocket that became Hali’s career. In his first year with Crennel, Hali finished with 14.5 sacks, good enough to lead the AFC. A solid enough season to earn Hali a long term contract for $60 million over five years.
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While other big money players take the money and coast on their game, Hali did no such thing. Instead he worked even harder and had the best overall season of his career. He recorded a career-high 83 tackles and finished second in the AFC in sacks with 12. He was named to the Pro Bowl as well as being named an All-Pro.
Hali spent the next four seasons as one of the most consistent players on the Chiefs defensive side of the ball. He averaged eight sacks a season while only missing three games during that span.
Most fans assumed Hali would not be resigned when his contract expired after the 2015 season. He was getting older and the Chiefs were drafting well and Dee Ford was set to be his replacement. To the surprise of many though the Chiefs signed Hali to a three year $22 million deal.
Unfortunately for Hali and the Chiefs this contract did not work out. Age caught up with Hali quick as his knees just couldn’t hold up to the pounding of the league anymore. He played in every game in 2016 but he was no longer the every down player he once was.
After an off-season rant on Twitter about playing time and how ready he was, the team put him on the PUP list to start the 2017 season. Hali was moved to the active roster for the first prior to the November 4th week nine game against the Dallas Cowboys. It became obvious to everyone early on that Hali’s body had left him. He ended up only playing in three games and recorded just one tackle and no sacks.
Hali ended his career in Kansas City second on the team’s all time sack list with 89.5. He also ranks second in team history in forced fumbles (33) and tenth in tackles (827). Hali has turned his 12 years in Kansas City into one of the greatest defensive careers in team history.
We can all agree the last two seasons in KC did not go as anyone planned. The contract he signed in 2016 was not a good contract for the team. The Chiefs are 100% right in releasing him as his production at this point does not match his cap number. I hope Hali retires and goes out never being in another uniform, but that is up to him and other teams who maybe interested.
All those things being said, Hali should be treated as nothing less than an all time great by fans and the team. He was a leader who stuck with the team even during it’s darkest years. He never demanded a trade or asked for his release because he wanted to go play for a winner. Instead he wanted to be a part of bringing a winning team to KC.
Hali took Justin Houston under his wing and helped mold him into one of the best defensive players in the league. He’s been the veteran leader for other young stars like Chris Jones, Eric Berry and Marcus Peters. Hali will be enshrined into the Chiefs Hall of Fame one day and his name will go up on the Arrowhead Ring of Honor along the other greats. He may go play somewhere else next season, but in the end of the day, Hali will always be a Chief.